Page 34 | Chapter 1 | The Ghost Ship | A Free Serialized Online Novel by Scott Telek

Then, as if by unheard signal, two women in front fell in place. Others bent to catch them. Hands flew to faces. A great wailing rose amongst the crowd.

“Gone!” the newly-freed Agnes screamed. “Gone! She’s gone! Down! Down! Never to be seen in this life! Never to be seen again!” She ran up the empty land end of the wharf, red dress striking the pale wood, shrieking voice hysterical. “To prayers! To prayers!” Her hands were rigid claws before her.
The sea remained a blank expanse.

Several of the women ran from the dock sobbing. Some were held, having collapsed into the crook of the neck of a composed friend, and led away from the scene. The entire crowd, mood brought completely round from the joy of moments ago, seemed to lower its head at once. Many stared blankly at the empty sea. The cries of distant birds echoed in the silence.

Then, in sluggish steps, they began to move away from the harbor. John saw the barkeep as she turned from the waterfront, face buried in fat hands. The appearance of youth that had lightened her features now replaced by an even greater appearance of age, her shoulders and loose flesh jiggled as she sobbed violently. The child in the arms of the woman from the tavern showed a furrowed brow and unhappy grimace. John heard a man speak as he walked by the young couple. He held a woman of near age next to him as they shuffled back to land.

“Now we know,” he said. He shook his head sadly and smoothed his wife’s hair. “No need to wait anymore,” he said.